There is about a week before the high school football season kicks off, and the team at Canandaigua is talking about rebounding.

"Last season we had a lot of expectations going in," Canandaigua coach Jeff Welch said. "We were a talented group. We had kids that had a lot of experience the year before, a lot of success and were expecting to have big years.

"A couple of injuries hurt us. We still did pretty well, but we didn't fulfill the expectations and the goals that we set. We ran into an obviously good team in Eastridge, so it was disappointing."

Canandaigua tries again with an offense that players and coaches believe can still produce plenty of points, plus a defense they think is in position to improve, then lift the team into title contention in Monroe County Division III and the Class A sectionals.

"What makes our offense special is that we have a running attack and passing attack," Canandaigua junior quarterback Mitch Schaefer said. "We can do both. When other teams are scouting us, they don't know whether we are going to run it or pass it. Obviously, it's a big key for us.

"The (quarterfinal) loss was tough last year because I didn't perform the way that I wanted to. Coming back this year, we're really working hard. We come in, we do what we have to do."

Canandaigua's offensive and defensive linemen may hold the key. Most of the players in those areas are not jumbo-sized. There are individuals who make up for that like 6-foot, 176-pound senior center/defensive end Ryan Heeb, a 2013 league all-star.

"The personality right now is that we're an undersized group, I think we have team speed, but we do play together and we're tough," Welch said. "They are tough kids.

"We expect it as coaches, and they have a lot mental and physical fortitude. I hope that carries on into the season because that certainly can lead to some success."

Keys to success: Have an offense with some balance. "We do have talented kids on the outside and our quarterback is talented, but it's important we establish a running game," Welch said. ... Linemen must use what they have. "We're undersized, but it's a tough and athletic group," Welch said. ... The defense must stiffen. "We allowed too many points in the important games," Welch said.

Outlook: Canandaigua players and coaches believe they have what it takes to contend and people in the Monroe County league agree. The team appeared business-like and together, even before the cameras appeared during a visit to a preseason practice. Is there enough speed and/or power to deal with perceived Section V Class A contenders East Irondequoit Eastridge and Greece Athena?